McCutcheon to Ride Rose Parade Float - U.S. Men's Update

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Dec. 31, 2008) - Former U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon (Christchurch, New Zealand), who helped the team capture an Olympic gold medal and an FIVB World League title in 2008, will ride Anaheim’s float in the Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2009 in Pasadena, Calif.

USA Volleyball announced in December that McCutcheon would be taking over as the head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team.

“I am excited to announce that Hugh McCutcheon will ride the City of Anaheim’s float in the 2009 Rose Parade,” said Mayor Pringle. “In 2006 the U.S. Men’s Volleyball team moved their training headquarters to Anaheim, and the team has given Anaheim another source of civic pride. Hugh led the team to the gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and Anaheim celebrated with and for him and the team. We couldn’t be more pleased to have him represent Anaheim to the millions of viewers worldwide.”

“This is quite an honor, and will be a tremendous way to start the new year,” McCutcheon said. “Anaheim is like home for me, so I am looking forward to representing the city on its float. I am grateful to Mayor Pringle for the consideration, and I look forward to seeing everyone on Jan. 1.”

The team’s move to Anaheim had many benefits, including removing the effects of Colorado's high altitude on the team's serves. The team, currently ranked second in the world, has been embraced by the local community, as seen through local sponsorships and community involvement.

In Anaheim’s float entry for 2009, viewers can expect another display of creative design, floral craftsmanship, thematic interpretation and floral and color presentation. For decades, Anaheim has created an ideal environment for residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy, and with that, world class entertainment has become an influential element to the Anaheim landscape. “Crank up the Entertainment” shines the spotlight on Anaheim and the bevy of entertainment venues that more than 345,000 residents and millions of visitors enjoy every year.

In 2007, Anaheim was awarded the Mayor’s Trophy for outstanding city entry, and in 2008, the Governor’s Trophy for best depiction of life in California. The 2009 float is Anaheim’s 16th entry in the history of the Rose Parade.

There was good holiday news for U.S. outside hitter Reid Priddy (Richmond, Va.) and his Russian team Lokomotiv Novosibirsk.

Because the team defeated Montenegro’s Buducnost Podgorica, 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-17) on Dec. 18 in the CEV Cup and won a special bonus set 15-12, it will advance to the Cup quarterfinals where it will face Spain’s Unicaja Almeria away on Jan. 15 and at home on Jan. 21.

There wasn’t much of a winter break for U.S. middle blocker David Lee (Alpine, Calif.) and his Italian team Trenkwalder Modena.

In the final match of the first half of Italy’s Serie A league on Dec. 21, visiting Modena defeated RPA-LuigiBacchi.It Perugia, 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 23-25, 25-18). Lee started all four sets and scored six points on three kill and three blocks.

On Dec. 28, host Modena fell to Acqua Paradiso Gabeca Montichiari, 1-3 (20-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-25). Lee started all four sets and scored eight points on six kills and two aces. Modena is in 10th place in the league with a 5-9 record. It should be noted that Modena has a new head coach in Emanuele Zanini.

Millar scored 11 points on five kills, three blocks and three aces. Touzinsky scored 10 points on seven kills and three blocks. Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediye is in second place in the Turkish league with a 9-2 record.

Also on Dec. 20, Brook Billings (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and his team Fenerbahçe fell to Maliye Milli Piyango, 1-3 (18-25, 25-17, 22-25, 18-25). Billings scored 13 points on 13 kills. Fenerbahçe is in sixth place in the league with a 5-6 record.

Both Millar and Billings are scheduled to play in the Turkish League all-star game on Jan. 3.